In January 2013, Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) filed a lawsuit on behalf of the organization Stop Animal Exploitation Now, using the California state anti-cruelty code against an animal testing facility known as Santa Cruz Biotechnology. The company “harvests” blood from tens of thousands of animals, including goats and rabbits, and the case is currently on appeal. Last week, the Court denied a motion filed by Santa Cruz Biotech to keep secret the names of those who have a financial interest in the outcome of the animal cruelty lawsuit.

The California Court of Appeal requires all parties in every case to disclose the names of those with vested interests in the case. Santa Cruz Biotech sought to file its certificate “under seal,” that is, to make it secret and unavailable to the public, purportedly because they are “fearful of harassment by animal rights activists.” ALDF fought this request, arguing that the public has a right to access court documents. The Court denied the animal testing facility’s request, ordering Santa Cruz Biotech to file its certificate publicly, and ALDF feels this is a small but important step in the appeal, stating, "as animal research facilities try to stay in the shadows, we are committed to exposing cruelty to animals used in research."

The Court of Appeal will hear oral arguments in the case sometime in the next several months, and ALDF expects a decision on the appeal later this year. The organization is confident that they will be able to hold the testing facility accountable for its illegal neglect and mistreatment of sick and injured animals.